Oilers looking sharp

After struggling through a two-game losing streak and spurts of lackadaisical showing in Tuesday's 55-53 win over Pasadena Rayburn, the Oilers showed the traits of a true playoff contender.

Their defense was stingy and mean like Scrooge. Offense was an even better story as smart shot selection and solid passing accounted for one of the best scoring performances of the year.

The scoring was well-balanced. Guard Nick Sottile led the Oilers with 15 points, including eight from the free throw line. Andy Dillon and Terrance Haynes put in 10 points. Gary Farrar added nine, Anthony Vereen knocked in eight and Robert Tibbs added seven.

After that game, it was easy to see why head coach Steve Buckelew was all smiles. After all, it couldn't have come at a better time.

Buckelew had several relatives from Fort Worth and Louisiana in the stands. The Oilers definitely left an impression on them. In addition, the good showing gives Pearland a chance to make things interesting during the final two weeks of league play.

North Shore (8-2) remains in first, while Deer Park (7-3) and Pasadena Dobie (7-3) are tied for second. Pearland (17-10 overall) sits in fourth place with a 6-4 record.

The Oilers have a chance to gain some ground. Following Tuesday's outing with Pasadena, Pearland travels to North Shore Friday and returns home Tuesday to face Dobie, before closing out the season at Deer Park.

"We're hoping to make this thing interesting," Buckelew said."Very interesting. Two of the four teams have already beaten us. We have to be ready to go.”

For now, the Oilers look to be ready after turning in their best game of the year.

Pearland did everything possible to keep the Trojans in a frenzy. In addition to playing in your face defense from Guy Henderson, Haynes, Sottile and Farrar, the Oilers also clogged the inside with Haynes, Dillon, Tibbs and Vereen doing the work.

On the offensive end, they drove the baseline and hit jumpers. When the open shot wasn't there, they worked the ball around until it happened.

Thanks to nice passing from Haynes, Henderson and Brad Hohenstein, it usually worked.

"The guys are starting to believe in themselves," Buckelew said. "We had shooters making the shots. We played aggressive defense. We had a few breakdowns, but for the most part we kept the pressure on most of the time. That was about as good as we can play. The execution was good. We had very few mental errors. We're starting to get the chemistry."

Pearland gained the upper hand over Rayburn after a sluggish start, but the Texans wouldn't go away.